It's concern about the health of black men that inspired John Gregory to start the National African-American Male Wellness Walk 12 years ago in Columbus, Ohio.

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“We did a research project and what we did was we had 100 men between the ages of 18 and 30 come every week to get tested. We found that 90 percent of the men were sick,” said Gregory.

Gregory said most of the diseases plaguing the men in the study and others were and are preventable.

So the event was started as a fun way to bring awareness to diseases affecting black men and to offer them a place to get vital health screenings.

“It does show something: That a.) black people can work together b.) we know what to do to change our community; and c.) there's a different kind of movement going on in our country that we want to bring solutions," Gregory said. "This is a solution to a big issue."

Pastor Tom Watson heard about what was happening in Ohio and knew it was something that had to be brought to the Big Easy.

“When you talk about the general health of the community, without good health we don't have a good family. Without good health, we don't have a good neighborhood. Without good health we don't have a good state. So prevention, intervention is the cause and that's why we're here,” Watson said. “This issue is not just a moment, but it is a movement. We will continue quarterly events centered around black male health. As a matter of fact, the hospital is thinking about structuring a black male wellness clinic at New Orleans East Hospital.”

Dr. Corey Hebert, WDSU medical editor, was the honorary co-chair of the inaugural event, which organizers expect to become a part of the yearly calendar in New Orleans.

The one thing Hebert wanted to stress is that the program is not just about the health of black men.

“Anybody's health problem is everybody's health problem,” Hebert said. “If we heal a community, then we can heal it holistically if everyone joins into the movement.”

Other events are in the works to keep people across the city focused on and serious about their well-being.

Hebert said it's time that everyone take the initiative to take care of the bodies.